Northern Govs Forum Appoints Ex-CDS Agwai, Yayale To Lead War Against Banditry

… States commit N1bn monthly for 12 months

The Northern States Governors’ Forum has appointed former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd) and former Defence Minister, and ex-HoS, Alhaji Mahmud Yayale Ahmed as co-chairmen of the Northern Nigeria Security Trust Fund Board.

Inauguration held Wednesday at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, Kaduna, marking a major step in the North’s regional response to worsening insecurity.

The board is packed with retired generals and ex-security chiefs drawn from the 19 northern states to provide strategic oversight to mobilise resources, intelligence sharing and coordinate operations against banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and cattle rustling.

Members include ex-COAS Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya (Sokoto), ex-IGP Usman Alkali Baba (Yobe), ex-SGF Boss Mustapha (Adamawa), Sen. Napoleon Bali rtd AVM (Plateau), ex-DIG Hafiz Inuwa (Jigawa), AVM Kabiru Aliyu (Taraba), Prof. Usman Tar (Borno), Maj. Gen. A.M. Dikko (Niger), AIG Sunday Babaji (Gombe), AVM Farouk Omeiza Umar (Kogi), Maj. Gen. Muhammad Sani (Kano), Maj. Gen. Bello Sarkin Yaki (Kebbi), Maj. Gen. John Malu (Benue), Brig. Gen. Ibrahim Agbab (Kwara) and others.

Chairman Yahaya said the Fund will complement, not replace, FG and security agencies, and must be “focused, responsive and credible,” judged by protection of lives, not meetings.

The governors resolved each state plus LGs will contribute ₦1bn monthly for 12 months. Traditional rulers led by Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III endorsed it as long-overdue practical approach.

COURTESY: Source